The Ivy Market Grill is a contemporary British restaurant situated in the heart of Covent Garden, London. It offers a relaxed yet sophisticated all-day dining experience, featuring a main restaurant, a sunny terrace overlooking the bustling piazza, and two private dining rooms. The menu includes a range of seasonal dishes and hand-crafted cocktails, with options for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant is known for its elegant interiors, including leather banquettes and wood furnishings, and provides outdoor seating in a courtyard setting. It is accessible via public transport, with Covent Garden Station just a short walk away.
What each source says
- Open Table 3.9 16,979
- Google Places 4.3 5,287
Bar length is review volume, so you can see how much weight sits behind each score. Captured 2026-08-21.
What visitors single out
Liked
- Charming Atmosphere and Decor The Ivy Market Grill boasts a stylish and inviting atmosphere with a chic and upmarket decor that creates a special and enjoyable dining experience.
- Convenient Location Situated in Covent Garden, the restaurant is easily accessible and makes a convenient spot for dining after shopping or before attending a play.
- Delicious Food Quality The restaurant consistently delivers high-quality, delicious food with many dishes receiving praise. The menu offers a wide variety of options, including vegetarian and vegan choices, appealing to diverse tastes.
- Dog-Friendly Terrace The restaurant offers a dog-friendly terrace with heaters, providing a comfortable outdoor dining option for guests who want to bring their furry companions.
- Excellent Service Many reviewers praised the attentive and friendly service, highlighting specific staff members and their proactive approach to ensuring a pleasant dining experience, often going the extra mile for special occasions.
Criticised
- Can Get Overcrowded The restaurant can be very crowded, especially during peak times, leading to uncomfortable waiting areas and a cramped dining environment.
- Inconsistent Food Quality While many praised the food, some found certain dishes to be average or poorly prepared, suggesting inconsistency in the kitchen's execution.
- Inconsistent Service Some diners experienced slow or inattentive service, with long waits for drinks and orders, indicating a lack of consistency in customer care.
- Possible Cleanliness Issues A few reviews mentioned issues with restroom cleanliness, including overflowing bins and lack of supplies, raising concerns about hygiene standards.
- Potential for Cold Seating Sitting near the entrance or outside during colder months can be drafty, impacting the overall dining comfort despite the heaters.
The longer read
The Ivy Market Grill receives high praise for its ambiance, attentive service, and generally well-prepared food, making it a popular choice in Covent Garden. The restaurant's decor is frequently described as chic, cozy, and creating a special atmosphere, suitable for both casual and more special occasions. Many reviewers specifically commend the staff's friendliness and attentiveness, with some even singling out individual waiters like Tasha, Carlos and Mateo for their exceptional service and positive energy. The restaurant is noted for going the extra mile to make celebrations memorable. Food quality receives mostly positive feedback. The English breakfast and Royal Eggs (similar to Eggs Benedict) are popular breakfast choices, with excellent egg quality. The fish and chips, duck curry, shepherd's pie, and steak are mentioned frequently, although experiences vary, with some finding dishes like the steak average or the gravy lacking intense flavor. The chips are often praised for being crispy. The restaurant is noted to have both vegetarian and vegan menus. Desserts, particularly the Chocolate Bombe, are generally well-received. A few dishes received negative feedback, and some felt certain dishes needed a sauce or dip, or had issues with temperature. The restaurant can be very busy, especially during peak hours and the Christmas season, which can lead to overcrowding and waiting times, even with a reservation. Some reviewers reported slow service, particularly regarding drinks, and occasional issues with staff attentiveness depending on the server. A few reviewers mentioned issues such as cold drafts near the door, noise levels, and cleanliness of the restrooms. A few reviewers mentioned mice being seen in the outdoor seating area. While many find the prices reasonable, particularly the set price menu, some consider the drinks to be pricey. One reviewer specifically appreciated the restaurant's accommodation of dietary restrictions, such as nut allergies. The restaurant is dog-friendly on the terrace. Overall, The Ivy Market Grill is recommended for its atmosphere, service, and food quality, but potential customers should be aware of potential crowding and service inconsistencies, particularly during busy periods.
A synthesis of third-party reviews supplied by Mindtrip travel index. Not written by Breaks.
Getting there
- Phone
- 020 3301 0200
- Website
- theivymarketgrill.com
| Mon | 8:00 - 0:00 |
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| Tue | 8:00 - 0:00 |
| Wed | 8:00 - 0:00 |
| Thu | 8:00 - 0:00 |
| Fri | 8:00 - 0:30 |
| Sat | 9:00 - 0:30 |
| Sun | 9:00 - 23:30 |
Against the neighbourhood
Rated 4.0 against a median of 4.5 across the 94 places to eat we hold for Covent Garden, where the most-reviewed is Ave Mario.
Booking
Still deciding?
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Where this comes from
Venue records are drawn from the Mindtrip travel index, which aggregates place data and review signals from Google Places, Tripadvisor and booking providers. Ratings are reproduced per source rather than merged into a single number. Distances to nearby venues are computed here as great-circle distances between the published coordinates, not walking or driving routes. Comparison figures are medians computed across the venues we hold for the same neighbourhood or city.
Source: Mindtrip travel index, captured 2026-08-21.
What this page cannot tell you
- Descriptions and review summaries are supplied by the source index and are reproduced as published; they are not independently verified by Breaks.
- Ratings and review counts are point-in-time snapshots and drift constantly. Check the venue's own site or the rating provider for the current figure.
- Opening hours change seasonally and at short notice. Confirm with the venue before travelling.
- Category labels come from the source index and are occasionally wrong — a venue may be filed under a type that does not match how it trades.
- Straight-line distances understate real walking distance, especially where a river or railway sits between two points.